Hampshire sign all-rounder Matt Coles on loan from Kent

Hampshire have signed all-rounder Matt Coles from Kent on loan for the rest of the season.

Last Updated: 27/08/13 1:01pm

Matt Coles: On his way to Hampshire

Coles, 23, turned down the offer of a new contract at Canterbury last week and is looking for a new club.

He has moved to the Ageas Bowl for the rest of the summer and will be available for their LV= County Championship match against Lancashire starting on Wednesday.

Coles said: "I'm delighted to be joining Hampshire for the remainder of the 2013 season. I have played against and alongside many of the guys in the team and look forward to a very productive time at The Ageas Bowl."

On his decision to quit Kent last week he said: "It would be remiss of me to say that this decision is not tinged with a certain amount of sadness but I feel now is the right time for me to move on in pursuit of my medium and long term career ambitions.

"I would like to thank Kent County Cricket Club for all the opportunities and support they have afforded me over my twelve years at the county, as both a junior and professional.

Gratitude

"I would also like to reflect my gratitude to Jimmy Adams, Simon Willis, my team mates and all the support staff for making my time at the club an enormously enjoyable one, I wish them all the best for the future.

"Lastly, and by no means least, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the members and supporters who have always been a source of inspiration to me."

The deal is currently only short-term but with Dimitri Mascarenhas retiring at the end of the season Hampshire may see Coles - a fast-medium bowler and handy left-handed batsman -as the perfect long-term replacement.

Coles has represented England Lions and taken 133 wickets in 50 first-class matches at an average of 30.67.